What is the chorus in Sophocles?
The Chorus is roughly like the peanut gallery (it’s even occasionally told to shut up). Sophocles uses this group of Thebans to comment on the play’s action and to foreshadow future events. He also uses it to comment on the larger impact of the characters’ actions and to expound upon the play’s central themes.
What did the Greek chorus wear?
Members of the chorus also wore masks, except all members wore the same mask because they were all representing one character. Illustrations of the masks rarely showed them in use during performances but rather when they were being handled by the actors before or after a performance.
What is the purpose of the chorus in a Greek tragedy?
The chorus in Classical Greek drama was a group of actors who described and commented upon the main action of a play with song, dance, and recitation.
What is an example of a chorus?
The definition of a chorus is a group of singers or a refrain in a song. An example of a chorus is a church choir. An example of a chorus is the part of a song that repeats several times. A group of dancers and singers performing together in a modern musical show, opera, etc.
Why is the chorus important?
Firstly, according to a view accepted by many scholars, the chorus would provide commentary on actions and events that were taking place before the audience. By doing this the chorus would create a deeper and more meaningful connection between the characters and the audience.
What is the function of a chorus?
The Chorus is a group of actors that together speak, sing, and dance in one body. The Chorus is part ritual part thematic device that play a much larger role in Greek Tragedy than in the other genres. One of the primary functions of the chorus is to provide atmosphere and, in some ways, underscore the tragic action.
What are three functions of the chorus?
They function, scholars have suggested variously, to offer a sense of rich spectacle to the drama; to provide time for scene changes and give the principle actors a break; to offer important background and summary information that facilitates an audience’s ability to follow the live performance; to offer commentary …
How do you find the chorus of a song?
The chorus is a key part of a song’s narrative. It’s often the section where rising tension finally releases and the song’s main payoff occurs. Even so, a chorus can happen during any part of the song. It can be right at the beginning, in the middle or even right at the end of a song.
Where was Sophocles the son of sophillus born?
Sophocles, the son of Sophillus, was a wealthy member of the rural deme (small community) of Hippeios Colonus in Attica, which was to become a setting for one of his plays; and he was probably born there, a few years before the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC: the exact year is unclear, but 497/6 is most likely.
How did Sophocles change the role of the chorus?
Sophocles is known for innovations in dramatic structure; deeper development of characters than earlier playwrights; and, if it was not Aeschylus, the addition of a third actor, which further reduced the role of the chorus, and increased opportunities for development and conflict.
What are the three plays that Sophocles wrote?
The Theban plays comprise three plays: Oedipus Rex (also called Oedipus Tyrannus or Oedipus the King ), Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone. All three concern the fate of Thebes during and after the reign of King Oedipus. They have often been published under a single cover; but Sophocles wrote them for separate festival competitions, many years apart.
Who was the Greek poet who influenced Sophocles?
Among Sophocles known influences were Greek mythology as interpreted and shaped by poets such as Homer as well as Aeschylus—the author of such plays as The Persians (472 bce)—who was twenty-eight years older than Sophocles but also Sophocles’ rival during his early years as a writer.